visa extension and/or overstay

[whiro]

Hi, I am new here.

I am unable to go to the immigration office in Chiang Mai to ask them questions, so I thought I would gather some information here.

 

My last entry to Thailand was at Mae Sai border at the end of Feburary with 30 day visa exempt.

I was supposed to fly out mid March back to NYC. After 2 flight cancellations and considering the situation in NYC, I decided to extend my stay. I got 30 day extension in Chiang Mai on March 24th allowing me to stay legally until April 22nd. Now I am feeling I need to stay here and not move past April 22nd. I am hearing Thai Immigration is offering automatic extension for those who reported for extension after March 26th. I missed that by 2 days. This week, I've been gathering paper works and letter from the embassy and all I need to ask for another extension if they allow me. This is my current situation.

 

Here is my plan and question.

There are still over 2000 people per day visiting CNX immigration. I just don't feel safe to go in there. Plus there is no bus service this month (I am 80km away from Chiang Mai) and having a hard time finding a taxi driver to go into town. Now I am leaning towards just overstaying past April 22nd until I can leave safely. I understand Thai law will charge me 500B a day upto 20 days. I don't mind paying 10000B at departure. And I make sure I don't go past 30 more days. 

 

Anybody out there in the same situation and have any suggestions?

OR should I wait until we hear official announcement?

 

I am really glad this THAI VISA FORUM is here ???? Thanks !

 

[ubonjoe]

You have time to wait and see how it works for the extensions that have been approved that will not require applying for another extension.

If you need to apply for extension it would be the best to do it. Immigration may be less busy by the 22nd or they will take measures to reduce the crowding like they have done at other offices.

The max fine for an overstay is 20k baht not 10k baht.

If caught with an overstay you would detained by immigration until you can be deported from the country and be banned from entering the country for 5 years.

[whiro]

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You have time to wait and see how it works for the extensions that have been approved that will not require applying for another extension.

If you need to apply for extension it would be the best to do it. Immigration may be less busy by the 22nd or they will take measures to reduce the crowding like they have done at other offices.

The max fine for an overstay is 20k baht not 10k baht.

If caught with an overstay you would detained by immigration until you can be deported from the country and be banned from entering the country for 5 years.

Thank you very much for your info. What you suggested makes sense and thanks for mentioning 20k not 10k and 5 year ban. I was thinking 1 year ban, but that's in case I surrender, so I appreciate that you reminded me. 

I am just hoping they would go further back than March 26th on the cut off date. 

 

Thanks again, I will keep close eyes on the situation.

 

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, whiro said:

I am just hoping they would go further back than March 26th on the cut off date. 

It is not clear what the exact wording of it is yet. I think it means if you were here and need another extension after March 26th.

[Beardog]

Not to mention you would not want to spend some Un quality time in a jail holding cell(not that they will incarcerate you but they would have that option especially nowhere they are not to happy with foreigners. Jails up here are you get to sleep with up to 80 people lying on a concrete floor head to toe  & No Blankets pillows or cots. I got to see 4 individuals that I had incarcerated for armed robbery in 2009 & that's what I saw. Not pretty but they did deserve the time they got to0 spend. Chances are it would only be 500 baht a day up to 20,000 Baht as described but right now it is pretty redneck out there. Best to try to contact immigration & see what you can work out.

[whiro]

4 minutes ago, Beardog said:

Not to mention you would not want to spend some Un quality time in a jail holding cell(not that they will incarcerate you but they would have that option especially nowhere they are not to happy with foreigners. Jails up here are you get to sleep with up to 80 people lying on a concrete floor head to toe  & No Blankets pillows or cots. I got to see 4 individuals that I had incarcerated for armed robbery in 2009 & that's what I saw. Not pretty but they did deserve the time they got to0 spend. Chances are it would only be 500 baht a day up to 20,000 Baht as described but right now it is pretty redneck out there. Best to try to contact immigration & see what you can work out.

thanks for your reply. I will go to immigration as soon as I know what I need to have with me for extension. 

[whiro]

34 minutes ago, Beardog said:

Not to mention you would not want to spend some Un quality time in a jail holding cell(not that they will incarcerate you but they would have that option especially nowhere they are not to happy with foreigners. Jails up here are you get to sleep with up to 80 people lying on a concrete floor head to toe  & No Blankets pillows or cots. I got to see 4 individuals that I had incarcerated for armed robbery in 2009 & that's what I saw. Not pretty but they did deserve the time they got to0 spend. Chances are it would only be 500 baht a day up to 20,000 Baht as described but right now it is pretty redneck out there. Best to try to contact immigration & see what you can work out.

hey again, you know what. I really appreciate you mentioned police check points. I will have to go through 24 hr checkpoint to get into CNX, so it would be stupid to take this chance !!

thanks again.

 

[whiro]

On 4/8/2020 at 6:58 PM, ubonjoe said:

You have time to wait and see how it works for the extensions that have been approved that will not require applying for another extension.

If you need to apply for extension it would be the best to do it. Immigration may be less busy by the 22nd or they will take measures to reduce the crowding like they have done at other offices.

The max fine for an overstay is 20k baht not 10k baht.

If caught with an overstay you would detained by immigration until you can be deported from the country and be banned from entering the country for 5 years.

Hi Ubonjoe, I am planning on going to CNX immigration next week. I understood if my last extension was done on March 24th, I don't fall into automatic extension and have to go in person and extend it. 

I hope it will work out.

 

Thanks for your advice!

[ubonjoe]

58 minutes ago, whiro said:

Hi Ubonjoe, I am planning on going to CNX immigration next week. I understood if my last extension was done on March 24th, I don't fall into automatic extension and have to go in person and extend it. 

You do qualify since you were here on the 26th and had a pemit to stay.

[whiro]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You do qualify since you were here on the 26th and had a pemit to stay.

announcement says it applies to those who extended after March 26th. I understands as it doesn't apply to those who extended before 26th ? 

[ubonjoe]

29 minutes ago, whiro said:

announcement says it applies to those who extended after March 26th. I understands as it doesn't apply to those who extended before 26th ? 

That is not correct.

From the ministerial order.

[whiro]

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is not correct.

From the ministerial order.

Just to x2 check. 

I entered from MAE SAI end of FEB on 30 day visa exempt.

I extended for 30 days in CNX on March 24 which expires on April 22nd. 

My concern is this new rule includes those on 30 day extension OR not.

 

I really appreciate your replies !!

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, whiro said:

Just to x2 check. 

You are included in the automatic extension.

You were already in the country on March 26th. It does not matter you were on a visa or visa exempt entry or a extension of your permit to to stay.

[whiro]

12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You are included in the automatic extension.

You were already in the country on March 26th. It does not matter you were on a visa or visa exempt entry or a extension of your permit to to stay.

Thank you very much !

so now we just have to be patient and wait for the next announcement regarding April 30th on. I hope they would do what makes sense in a timely manner to avoid people gathering around the immigration offices.

 

I wish people like you are working at my consulate !!!

 

[audaciousnomad]

3 hours ago, whiro said:

Thank you very much !

so now we just have to be patient and wait for the next announcement regarding April 30th on. I hope they would do what makes sense in a timely manner to avoid people gathering around the immigration offices.

 

I wish people like you are working at my consulate !!!

 

For timely information at Chiang Mai immigration. I suggest you contact Mike Gaudet. He is an expat who is working there as an intern.  He's been very helpful. You can reach him on the  Thai Visa Advice facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1395920320731833/permalink/2719954901661695/

[whiro]

1 hour ago, audaciousnomad said:

For timely information at Chiang Mai immigration. I suggest you contact Mike Gaudet. He is an expat who is working there as an intern.  He's been very helpful. You can reach him on the  Thai Visa Advice facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1395920320731833/permalink/2719954901661695/

hey I don't have a facebook account, but the page was viewable and very helpful.

I was gonna go over there just to show my passport to be super careful. He wrote like how real people speak. 

Thanks man, I appreciate your reply.

Stay safe wherever you are ????